The purpose of this study is to disseminate and transfer the comprehensive quality management interventions (CQM) for alcohol-related disorders in primary care developed during the first funding phase into routine care. The two steps are (1) to optimize the CQM approach and (2) to investigate the dissemination and transfer into routine care in a randomized controlled trial.

In the first funding phase the project AQAH ("Ambulantes Qualitätsmanagement alkoholbezogener Störungen in der hausärztlichen Praxis"-"comprehensive quality management for alcohol-related disorders in primary care") systematically investigated three issues: (1) the outpatient care system and evidence-base for screening, diagnosis and treatment was examined; it developed (2) a comprehensive quality management system (CQM) consisting of documentation material, a pathway of care and evidence-based practice guidelines; (3) the effects of the CQM on the detection and treatment of alcohol-related disorders were investigated in a randomized controlled pre-post design and the results show positive effects of the CQM. In the second funding phase (a 3 year bi-center project) the purpose is now to disseminate and transfer the CQM into routine care. The two steps are (1) to optimize the CQM approach and (2) to investigate the dissemination and transfer into routine care in a randomized trial. (1) The paper-based AQAH-practice guidelines are transformed into an interactive electronic version with online patient documentation and evaluation, decision support measures as well as links to specialists and an e-learning tool. (2) After pilot testing in the AQAH-study-networks, an active transfer to the greater regions of Südbaden and Südwürttemberg will be performed in a parallel group cluster randomized controlled trial with GP practices as unit of randomization. Outcome data will be collected concerning the acceptance of the system and the quality of care delivered.

Comparison(s): (1) Use of the interactive electronic version of the CQM for alcohol-related disorders with a special training for general practitioners, compared to (2) use of the CQM with additional education for the whole practice team and organizational re-structuring advice, compared to (3) a control group who uses the CMQ without any special training.

Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

General practitioner

Possibility to use broad-band internet

Exclusion Criteria:

none

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00314067

Locations

Germany

Freiburg University Hospital, Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Freiburg, Germany, 79104

University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen

Tübingen, Germany, 72076

Sponsors and Collaborators

University Hospital Freiburg

Investigators

Principal Investigator:

Martin Härter, Prof. Dr. Dr.

Freiburg University Hospital, Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Principal Investigator:

Michael Berner, Dr.

Freiburg University Hospital, Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Study Chair:

Daniela Ruf, Dipl. Psych.

Freiburg University Hospital, Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Study Chair:

Götz Mundle, PD Dr.

Oberbergklinik, Hornberg and University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen